Beauty Products That Take Your Look Next Level
Okay, really quick, here’s something about me and my circumstances:
Working mom in my mid-30s. Full time corporate job that consumes me. Kids who never stop talking to me. I haven’t slept 8 hours straight since 2015. I’m tired and it shows. Looking good takes work but for at least 40 hours a week,I have to look presentable for that office runway I walk.
I have my daily driver products down to a science. But sometimes, I just need a little something extra. A cherry for the top of a well constructed sundae. I don’t have time for these every day, but when I’m looking to jazz things up, these are my go-tos.
If you are looking for the basics, click here for my every day recommendations.
I once coveted a colleague’s subtly sparkly eyelids for an entire summer before asking her what it is. Turns out, it’s this tiny pot of shimmer that gives you wild flexibility to just barely sparkle (Okay fine - this is a daily driver.I literally wear this to the office daily and don’t look like a disco queen) or go fully nuts and aim for that disco queen look after all.
Dang it, this could be a daily driver too, tbh. There’s so many colors and goes on super subtly. I love how glossy it looks in the tube, but it’s not sticky at all. It’s also plumping so if you enjoy the lightest of bee-sting buzzing, you’ll love this.
Better Than Sex mascara has a cult following and for good reason, IMO. Clumping is one of my mascara red flags, and this is one of the only ones that doesn’t.But if you really want your lashes to look next level, you need to pair it with the Foreplay Mascara Primer.
Tl;dr it makes my lashes stay curled FOREVER. If I didn’t wash my face, I bet they’d still be curled and in perfect condition next week. The primer gives lasting power that is unparalleled, in my opinion.
One more nice perk: the primer is black, which is so unusual (they’re usually white). You don’t have to work hard to cover the primer and if you miss a spot, no harm done.
Okay, the price point is frankly offensive. I love this stuff, but I do wait for it to go on sale. All that said - it works. Slather it on your face and it immediately feels cooling and nice, but the real magic is when you take it off and reveal the tightest skin of your life. And not the dried out kind of tight of my wintertime nightmares. Just a really nice glowy and lifted look.
I do save this for special occasions because it’s so dang expensive, but boy do I feel like a 30-year-old princess when the opportunity presents itself.
Glossier FutureDew | $28
The most versatile serum I’ve ever found. It has the slightest shimmer, so use it as a base to set yourself up for that coveted glowy, dewy, lit-from-within look. I also use it as a highlighter sometimes, dotting it on the tip of my nose and cheekbones.
And as an edit: I’ve started using this so much, it’s officially part of my daily routine.